CHESTER JETS are hoping a Scouse fuel injection will help drive them back to the top of the national British Basketball League this season.

TALL ORDER: Scousers Richard Murphy, Stephen Mercer and Marvin Holden have all signed for the Jets>

CHESTER JETS are hoping a Scouse fuel injection will help drive them back to the top of the national British Basketball League this season.

The Jets have signed a hat-trick of city ballers in time for the new campaign, which kicks off against London Towers on Sunday.

Stephen Mercer, signed from Newcastle Knights, and returning players Marvin Holden and Richard Murphy have been drafted in to bolster the Jets' squad as they aim to relive their successes of 2001.

Chester won the National League play-off finals the year before last, along with the Northern League title and both cups, as they dominated the British court.

Last season things did not go exactly to plan, but coach Paul Smith is clearly hoping some home-grown talent will be the key to success.

All three new additions are former Toxteth Tigers youth team players, and have been reunited after a couple of years at university level.

Mercer, 24, a former pupil of Childwall Comprehensive School in Wavertree, played for Newcastle Eagles last season, playing in the first six games of the season, before planning to switch to New Jersey University in the USA.

The 6ft 9in forward said: "The plan was for me to go over and play college ball in the States, but in basketball you are only allowed to play for a university for four years - anywhere in the world.

"I had already played for Liverpool for three years before I went to Newcastle - that includes three years playing for England too.

"It would have been great experience, but after that there really is nowhere better than Chester to learn your trade in Britain.

"Chester are like the Manchester United of the national basketball league. The team is dominated by American play-ers, really top quality, so to be signed by this them is great.

"I can learn plenty here while also proving myself at this level." Holden is a 22-year-old point guard from Fairfield. The former Archbishop Beck pupil left Chester for a season-long stint with Manchester Magic last season, but is back with the Jets for the new campaign.

So too is shooting guard Murphy of Walton. The former Liverpool Atac player also joined Manchester last season, only to be poached by title favourites Chester.

Chester start the new campaign at their Northgate Arena home on Sunday, when they entertain London Towers.